Hexagram 29: The Abysmal (Water)

Trigrams

Upper trigram: Kan (Water) · Lower trigram: Kan (Water)

Judgment

Repeated danger. With sincerity, the heart finds a way through; action brings esteem.

Image

Water flows on and on: repeated danger. The noble one practices constant virtue and repeats his teaching.

Meaning of Hexagram The Abysmal (Water)

The Abysmal (Water) (坎) is hexagram #29 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams, formed by the upper trigram Kan (Water) and lower trigram Kan (Water). It represents repeated danger; navigating through peril with inner sincerity. When this hexagram is cast, the querent should meditate on the judgment and image to grasp what the Yi is saying about the current situation.

The Six Lines Explained

First Line (Six at the Beginning)

"Xi kan, ru yu kan xin, xiong — Doubled peril, falling into a deep pit; misfortune"

Peril upon peril, sinking into a deep pit: misfortune. The lowest line, meeting danger piled upon danger in an utterly unfavourable situation.

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place)

"Kan you xian, qiu xiao de — In the midst of peril there is danger; seek only small gains"

In danger, and further danger still — hope only for small gains. This line has ability (firm, central) but remains surrounded by hardship, so it should set only modest, realistic goals.

Third Line (Six in the Third Place)

"Lai zhi kan kan, xian qie zhen, ru yu kan xin, wu yong — Coming and going, peril upon peril; do not act"

Danger both coming and going, in front and behind, sinking ever deeper — one should take no action in this state. An unfavourable line, caught between two layers of danger with no clear way out.

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place)

"Zun jiu gui, er yong fou, na yue zi you, zhong wu jiu — A jug of wine, a simple dish, offered through the window; in the end no blame"

Like offering a cup of wine and a plain dish, adapting to circumstance with an unconventional but fitting approach — in the end there is no blame. A lesson in sincerity, simplicity and flexibility amid hardship.

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place)

"Kan bu ying, zhi ji ping, wu jiu — The pit is not yet full, but once level it settles; no blame"

The water (danger) has not yet filled the pit, but once it does it will settle and the peril will pass — no blame. A capable line, high in position, moving through hardship toward stability.

Top Line (Six at the Top)

"Xi yong hui mo, zhi yu cong ji, san sui bu de, xiong — Bound with cords, placed among thorn bushes, not freed for three years; misfortune"

Bound with great ropes and cast among thorny bushes, not released for three years: misfortune. The worst line, in extreme danger, lacking the ability to escape and unwilling to reform.

The Transformed Hexagram

Both the inner and outer trigrams are Kan (Water) — one of the eight pure hexagrams. If a line moves, the resulting hexagram varies with its position. Identify the exact moving line for the correct transformation.

Applications by Area of Life

Work & Career

This hexagram describes a period of layered danger and difficulty. Keep utter sincerity and steadfastness (the hexagram's central spirit) and adapt flexibly when needed (line 4) to get through the perilous stretch.

Love & Relationships

The relationship may be going through a difficult, trying period. Sincerity and simplicity (line 4: “just a cup of wine and a plain dish”) matter more than outward display.

Health

The image of “deep, dangerous water” warns of a period when health problems may pile up. Be careful, be patient in overcoming them, and avoid reckless action.

Wealth

This is not a favourable time for major financial decisions. Set small, realistic goals (line 2: “hope only for small gains”) and avoid taking risks while in difficulty.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Abysmal (Water)

What does hexagram Kan (The Abysmal) mean?

Kan means pit, peril — symbolising water and compounding dangers. It is one of the two most difficult pure hexagrams among the sixty-four (together with the opposite meaning of Li).

Is casting hexagram Kan a very bad omen?

It signals a period of much difficulty and danger, but not utter hopelessness — the Judgment stresses that if one keeps utter sincerity, one can still find a way through and overcome the peril.

Why are Kan and Li (hexagram 30) considered central to the I Ching?

According to Nguyễn Hiến Lê, Kan and Li sit at the centre of the Upper Canon, symbolising water and fire — the two most vital elements in the creation of heaven and earth, and also representing sincerity (Kan) and clarity, civilisation (Li).